When you’re a quick-serve executive for a brand with decades of history, it can be hard to change with the times while retaining a connection with loyal, longtime customers. But, as in all things, evolution is necessary in the restaurant business, and a brand refresh that touches all aspects of a...

It’s an oft-cited statistic: One in four Americans eats at a fast-food establishment each day—that’s nearly 79 million consumers, considering the latest national population data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And depending on one’s definition of “fast food,” that number could edge higher for the...

An effort by Richard Griffin, the General Counsel (GC) of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to raise wages and otherwise benefit franchise employees may have an unexpected and undesirable consequence: a threat to franchising as a business model. Although Griffin’s desire to benefit...

As with many nontraditional settings, college campuses have a lot of built-in advantages. There’s a captive audience of busy, hungry students with disposable income. But getting a quick-service brand into the college environment isn’t a sure thing. Competition is stiff, and college students are...

With minimum wages, menu legislation, joint employer standards, and more called into question over the last several years, many foodservice brands and franchise owners are more concerned than ever about the future of the franchise industry and their role within it. That’s just one of the reasons...

When I heard of Maya Angelou’s passing this summer a twinge of sadness struck me, but then I remembered one of the remarkable things that she said: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
The simple...

The phone number is emailed to me, and I’m surprised to see it’s only 10 digits. No dial-in information, no confirmation code, no announce yourself after the beep. Just a plain and simple phone number, area code Los Angeles.
I’m surprised because this phone number belongs to Roy Choi, celebrity...

It’s the conundrum befuddling limited-service restaurant operators the world over: How do you answer consumer demand for healthier menu items when so many customers are scared away by health-food claims? How do you help fight off the nation’s obesity epidemic when the entire business is designed...

GS1 US has published a GS1 US National Data Quality Program framework, which outlines the key components to help companies establish and sustain effective data quality programs based on GS1 Standards. The framework offers detailed information about the assessment criteria and scoring for the...

This March, Jersey Mike’s Subs is joining forces with more than 120 local charities for the company’s fifth annual March Month of Giving fundraising campaign. Last year’s Month of Giving raised $2.1 million for more than 100 different charities nationwide and this year Jersey Mike’s hopes to...

Project Pie, a West Coast fast-casual pizza concept, has now opened its first European outlet in Dundee, Scotland and plans to add an additional 60 locations across the United Kingdom and Ireland in the next ten years.

PizzaRev marked its entrance into South Dakota with a Pizzas for a Purpose fundraising event at 3901 W. 49th St. in Sioux Falls. Guests are invited to pay-what-they-want for a custom-built, personal-sized pizza with a suggested $8 contribution to benefit Children’s Miracle Network and Sanford...

Convenience stores are increasingly taking a larger slice out of the quick-serve pie with fresh food offerings. It’s become such a lucrative business for C-stores that Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based C-store chain that this week opened its 500th location, is planning stores designed more as fast...

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

When fast-casual chain Zoës Kitchen Inc. debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last April, the Plano, Texas–based Mediterranean-style eatery recorded its initial public offering at $87.5 million. Satisfying an investor appetite for investments within the trendy fast-casual space, Zoës’ strong...

Though U.S. consumption is well below other proteins today, seafood will likely be an increasingly important part of the American diet in the years to come. The country’s population is predicted to grow by 89 million between 2010 and 2050 to 401 million people. More people require more food—and...

Kevin Kester’s family has been farming in the U.S. for generations. And it’s not just a couple of generations they’ve been farming; more like generations upon generations, way back to the 1600s, specifically in California since the 1860s. Today, Kester owns a 22,000-acre beef cattle ranch in...